This blog hosts information about collective and open initiatives from University for Peace (UPEACE) community members - faculty, staff, field personnel, students, alumni, friends, partner institutions and civil society organizations - to bring transparency and accountability at UPEACE.

Your e-mail message of October 3rd, 2007 has just caught up to me inBeijing, China where I nowspend most of my time.

As you will know, I am no longer a member of the Council of Upeace andhave not been able to beactive in its affairs for the past year or so when my activities havebeen severely limited due toillness. Accordingly I am not familiar with the circumstances of therecent change that hasoccurred in the role and status of Professor Ronnie de Camino Delozo.However, I can say thatduring my own early period as Rector and then as President of theCouncil of Upeace, I developed avery high regard for Professor de Camino, his personal and professionalqualities and hisimportant contributions to the academic programs of Upeace. Indeed hewas one of the mostconsistent and effective contributors to maintaining the very limitedacademic program of Upeaceduring its most difficult time and to the transition that made possibleits impressive progresssince then.

While I have not been able to discuss this matter with them, I am surethat the new leadership ofUpeace will give the views and proposals in your message full andrespectful consideration.Transparency and accountability are extremely important in maintainingthe relationship of trustand mutual interest that must exist between management, faculty andstudents, although there canalways be legitimate differences as to how this can best be achieved.

While I can no longer be involved in this process, I have everyconfidence that it will produce asolution that will help to ensure the continued progress of Upeaceduring this challenging periodthat will be so critical to its future.

Monday, October 15, 2007

On October 3, 2007, Ms. Rebecca Davis, a UPEACE alumna, electronically submitted the 'Petition for Transparency and Accountability at UPEACE' to Mr. John Maresca, UPEACE Rector, and the members of the UPEACE Council, on behalf of the petition signatories. Below is a copy of the cover letter sent by email, and the email responses received from Mr. Maresca and Ambassador Mohamed Sahnoun, Vice-Chair of the UPEACE Council and Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General.

Copy of the cover letter:

The RectorUniversity for PeaceP.O. Box 138-6100Ciudad ColonCosta Rica

October 3, 2007

Dear Sir,

Sub: Petition for Transparency and Accountability at the University for Peace

Greetings. As you may be aware, members of the University for Peace (UPEACE) student and alumni community have initiated an open petition to request the UPEACE administration and the UPEACE Council Members to take certain actions towards ensuring transparency and accountability in all workings of UPEACE.

We request your attention to our petition, attached herewith, which has been signed by 273 signatories, including 167 members of the UPEACE faculty, staff, students and alumni community.

Please also find attached testimonials written by UPEACE faculty, staff, students and alumni signifying their personal and professional experiences with Prof. (Dr.) Ronnie de Camino Velozo. We believe that the loss of Prof. de Camino's full-time or resident faculty status at UPEACE shall greatly impact the quality and integrity of UPEACE programmes.

We hope that you will find our requested actions to be in the spirit of peaceful, open and accountable participation of all UPEACE members in the development of UPEACE, and shall call for an open meeting to discuss these actions, inviting the participation of representatives of faculty, staff, field personnel, students and alumni.

Thanking you,

Sincerely,

Signatories of the Petition for Transparency and Accountability at UPEACE

Response from Mr. John Maresca, UPEACE Rector:

Dear Rebecca,

I acknowledge receipt of the documents you sent me with your e-mail message of October 2, 2007.

I will study these documents carefully, and will give the ideas and suggestions they contain fullconsideration.

With best regards, John Maresca

Response from Ambassador Mohamed Sahnoun, Vice-Chair of the UPEACE Council and Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General: